College Grumpage

[FishermanTim]

My second youngest sister went to UMASS Amherst for a couple of years to get her degree in nursing. She transferred to UMASS Boston because she wanted to actually learn. That and the fact that she was working her way through college. The best part for her was that she worked doing what she was going to college for: nursing at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
Now she finished her 4 years in 3 by not taking the summers off, and by having worked (ie. interned) during this time, she was offered a guaranteed job when she graduated. She now works as an Oncology Nurse, and has done so for over 10 years.

If your kids know what they want from college, and they are dedicated to their education, they would be wise to try an incorporate their "internship" (work experience needed) with their schooling. You'd be surprised how many people with degrees are working crappy jobs because they failed to think ahead and plan.

Sure, a college degree is good, but if you aren't utelizing it, it's just a facny, expensive piece of toilet paper. (No offense to those that may find this insulting.)

Best and more importantly is the fact that I did not go to college. Not because I couldn't, but because I chose not to. I was realistic about my interest, and I didn't want to waste my time or the colleges, or anyones' money to find out that I may have made a costly mistake.
That's just my opinion, and should be taken with a grain of salt (and a shot of tequila!)

Good luck to all the wish to go on to higher learning!

[maddog2020]

At any given college you can find kids that want to party 6 days a week and kids that study 7 days a week. It comes down to the individual if they want to learn or not. I graduated at UMASS Amherst in 1985 and I was one of the ones who studied and stayed out of my dorm after 1 am and just slept in my dorm room. Party reputation had been changing when I was there. They stopped allowing guests to stay on Halloween weekend (use to be HUGE parties up there in mid to late 70s !!!!!) . I lived up in Sylvan (boring) and party kids lived over in Southwest.

If some one can keep an 4.0 average and higher partying all week, then all the power to them. If you couldn't maintain an 2.0 GPA you had to take a semester off. When you come back you get serious or they throw you out, but this time for a year. Some of the hardiest partying kids I met were pre-med and engineering students ..... LOL.

Some jobs they don't care if you have a degree or not. Others you need at least a masters or more before you can even get an interview.

I don't work in a field I went to college for at all. I could have done my current job without spending the $10,000 but I don't regret going. You learn a lot about yourself and others along the way. I've made some bonds with folks that can never be broken - there is no dollar value you can put on that. You also make networks and connections which come in handy down the road. If nothing else, college, socializes you to become a part of the human race .... LOL.

I met lots of girls interested in finding a husband. I avoided those at all costs! You have to want to go to learn for yourself and not what your parents want you to do. Put the time in and you get rewarded down the road. Otherwise you just have to know how to ask, " do you want fries with that , or do you want to super size it!"

We have some new hires who are in debt for more than what my house cost! I feel bad for those kids who come out and can't find jobs. You best make sure there are jobs in your field! Health care has lots of opportunities right now. Biochemists, dental hygienists & pharmasists are always in demand. Lots of hospitality opens, too.
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